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Past Present Future
What If… The French Revolution Had Happened in China?
Aug 11, 2024
Ayse Zarakol, a world historian known for her insights on global power dynamics, joins the conversation. They explore the fascinating idea of the French Revolution occurring in China and how it could have reshaped global powers. Topics include the similarities between historical revolutions in the East and West, the reassessment of China’s historical strength, and the implications of leaders like Genghis Khan. Zarakol also raises intriguing questions about what a different Industrial Revolution in Asia might mean for world history.
56:33
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores how counterfactuals, like a French Revolution in China, could have changed the course of global historical development.
- It emphasizes the significant role individual leaders play in shaping history, demonstrating that their decisions can alter the trajectories of empires.
Deep dives
The Great Divergence
The Great Divergence refers to the historical divergence in economic development and power between the West and the East from around 1700 onward. Initially, Western Europe and China were comparable in various aspects of development, including economic growth and scientific knowledge. However, a significant acceleration in the West led to imperial expansion and global dominance, while the East experienced stagnation. Historians have sought to understand the reasons for this divergence, often attributing it to structural features inherent in European society and intellectual culture.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode